The Arcata Fire Department is crediting a simple smoke alarm with saving two lives after a fire broke out in a McKinleyville home on Thursday morning.

Firefighters dispatched to the 1100 block of Silverado Avenue arrived to find a small fire located in a bedroom, and a mother and daughter suffering from minor injuries after they'd attempted to extinguish the fire numerous times themselves.

The mother told firefighters that she'd fallen asleep on the sofa and was awakened by the sound of her smoke alarm. She said she then went into the bedroom to find her mattress and nightstand aflame, with the fire quickly spreading up the wall toward the ceiling. The woman woke up her daughter, and both tried to extinguish the fire using pans of water.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts, the mother and daughter fled the structure and began attempting to fight the fire from outside, using a garden hose.

"We are grateful this family had working smoke alarms in place because that is what saved their lives," said AFD Battalion Chief Sean Campbell in a press release. "This fire was growing rapidly, and had the ability to spread throughout the entire house without early detection from smoke alarms."

The homeowner told fire crews that she left a candle burning on her nightstand when she fell asleep on the sofa, which was likely the cause of the blaze, according to the release. Campbell said candles are "extremely hazardous," and urged people to use battery operated LED candles instead of the open-flame variety, saying they "offer a much safer option for this type of ambiance."

According to the release, AFD estimated the fire did about $25,000 worth of damage to the home and its contents, but valued the property saved at more than $250,000.

The department advises all local residents to check their smoke alarms monthly and change their batteries on Nov. 3 during daylight saving time.